By MJ Johnson
The WGI Color Guard Steering Committee welcomes Cynthia Bernard as the first international member of the committee! Based in Montreal, Québec, Cynthia was born into the activity.
“My parents were performers and my grandma was actually the director of a drum corps many years ago,” Cynthia shares. “I took my first steps in a gym while my parents were teaching and I stayed involved in color guard my whole life. In the last ten years, I’ve realized that my whole life revolves around winter guard. In September, I’m ready for auditions. In January, I’m ready for shows. In April I’m ready for Championships. Now, I’m doing color guard mostly full-time.”
Cynthia has worked with several groups based in Québec: Sonnor, Les Eclipses, and 3rd Legends. This year, 3rd Legends placed first in Independent Open and in 2024 Les Eclipses placed third in Independent A. Cynthia shares that she is excited to continue working with these teams next season and to explore the World Class level with 3rd Legends.
“I actually applied to the Steering Committee in 2024,” Cynthia says. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t selected then but it helped people learn who I was. I was lucky enough to be able to apply again this year!” Cynthia is excited to begin her involvement with the Steering Committee this summer. “The Steering Committee is there to represent groups and their questions or concerns; creatively, educationally, etc. One thing I want to share is that the members of the Steering Committee are there as an easy way to get your voice heard. Everyone who works with WGI is there to listen and help, but if someone is worried about how to get their message heard, the steering committee is there to make sure those subjects are brought to the table.”
“I think it’s important that the steering committee has diversity in their representatives,” Cynthia shares. “ I will be learning a lot from committee members who have been there for a while. The one thing I want people to know is that I want to represent everyone. I wish all groups realized how important they are to WGI and that their voices can be heard. My goal is for anyone to feel like they can reach out and be heard by our committee.”
Congratulations to Cynthia Bernard for her appointment to the Color guard Steering Committee!
